Creating a Buzz with Apps for Good

I first got involved with Apps for Good when I joined Putteridge High School, a secondary school in Luton, in September 2022. This year will be the third year we will be delivering the  course.

In 2023 we reached the finals with Planet Pro which looked at combating food waste and food poverty. It connects food providers who have food surplus with charities for homeless people.

In 2024, two girls Iesha and Shannon reached the finals with their app EcoMingle. It is designed for aspiring activists with suggestions of how they can work with their local community to save the planet.

Neither group won, but the experience was invaluable. Both teams gained a sense of achievement and learned so much about teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience. The journey to the finals gave them the opportunity to present their ideas to industry experts, receive constructive feedback, and refine their projects.

Even though they did not win, the confidence they gained and the skills they developed will stay with them long after the competition. For me, that’s what Apps for Good is about. It empowers students to make a real difference by giving them the tools to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

EcoMingle for tomorrow’s eco warriors

The key highlights for me are the fantastic ideas the students come up with. I like seeing their creativity and passion. The two girls who created EcoMingle are both passionate about educating people about climate change. They didn’t know where to start but once they got going, they developed a brilliant concept that combined social networking with environmental education, creating a platform for users to learn and engage with eco-friendly practices.

Watching them grow in confidence and take ownership of their project was incredibly rewarding. It’s moments like these that truly highlight the impact of Apps for Good, not just in fostering technical skills, but in empowering students to think critically and creatively about real-world problems. 

Helping those who have poor mental health

Another idea from students at Putteridge High School was ‘MindMend. Although this didn’t get to the finals, it was quite interesting seeing how it developed. It is a mental health app that integrates self-care tools, therapy techniques, community support, and professional help in one platform.

Key features include a mood tracker to identify emotional patterns and a journaling tool with templates for personalised reflection. The students who came up with this idea were inspired by their own personal experiences with mental health challenges, recognising a need for accessible support and resources to help others facing similar struggles. Another key aspect of Apps for Good is that it gives students a platform to create something deeply personal, allowing them to develop solutions that reflect their own experiences.

Getting girls interested in computing

It is often said that Apps for Good is a good first step to get women into technology. This year, at Putteridge we’ve seen an encouraging increase in the number of girls choosing computing subjects. We offer two pathways in computing at KS4: Pearson Edexcel GCSE Computer Science and Pearson Edexcel BTEC Digital Information Technology (DIT).

GCSE Computer Science focuses on coding, computational thinking, and problem-solving, preparing students for tech careers or further studies.

BTEC DIT emphasises on practical skills in digital tech, like UI design and data management, for real-world IT and business applications.

In our current Year 11 Computer Science group, 15% of the cohort are girls, while in Year 10, 17% of students taking Computer Science are girls. However, there has been a notable increase in female participation in the BTEC DIT course, with 30% of the Year 10 cohort being girls, compared to just 20% in Year 11. This growth highlights a positive trend of more girls engaging with computing, particularly through the DIT pathway.

Furthering their own interests

The Apps for Good course has broadened students’ perspectives. They can now see that there are diverse opportunities available within the field of computing, and that a digital career is not limited to programming. Apps for Good has been instrumental in attracting students who might not have considered computing as a viable option, encouraging them to pursue our BTEC DIT course. It has showcased real-world applications of technology, such as app development, digital marketing, and data management.

The course has opened doors for students with varied interests. They now realise that computing can align with their unique passions and career aspirations. This has been particularly effective in fostering a more inclusive and diverse group of students in our computing courses.

Thanks to the success and positive experience of the EcoMingle team, there’s now a growing buzz among students. Many have been approaching me, eager to know when we’ll be starting Apps for Good again. The excitement and enthusiasm they’ve generated has really sparked interest across the school, with more students wanting to get involved and showcase their own ideas.

Kamona Karim is Teacher of Computing at Putteridge High School